Despite the US government’s argument that new tariffs were crucial to supporting the 10 May ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a federal trade court has blocked President Donald Trump from imposing the tariffs, ruling that he exceeded the legal authority granted to him.
The administration told the court that the ceasefire “was achieved only after both countries were offered trading access with the US to avert a full-scale war.” However, the court ruled against the government.
The case originates from tariffs announced by Donald Trump on 2 April, which proposed a 10% tax on most imports and even higher duties on goods from China and the European Union.
Trump referred to the plan as “Liberation Day” and later paused some steeper tariffs while seeking trade deals.
A panel of three judges at the New York-based Court of International Trade ruled on Wednesday that, “The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the President’s use of tariffs as leverage.”
